MEDFORD, Ore. — A small memorial for Jessica Bethany sits outside Howiee’s On Front. One memento now sits on top of the bar. Owner Howiee Hawkins says Jessica worked for him for six years and just like that, she’s gone.

“I feel like I’ve lost a daughter,” Hawkins exclaims. “She had the sweetest little baby, and she was working so hard, and…God…”

The bar was closed for Labor Day, but Howie and his wife Loni came in, locked the door and sat inside, reminiscing about Jessica; because of her murder, they say the holiday will never be the same.

“She was missed by 10 o ‘clock in the morning by several, several people. Because there was just that many people who cared about her and communicated with her every single day,” Lori said.

“Every time we ended a phone conversation, or every time we went somewhere, she always told me how much she loved me, and stuff like that,” said Hawkins.

They say Jessica had been having problems with Jeffery Wheeler, saying he was often violent and addicted to drugs. But they say Jessica tried to keep him out of her life, and stayed dedicated to her young daughter and her job.

“You need to listen to some of the customers, cause they’ll tell you what a great girl this was,” Hawkins said, “This was just a sweetheart of a person.”

But Monday, their only thought was about how this could ever happen to her.

“I don’t know what else to say about the girl,” said Hawkins. “I’m going to miss the living hell out of her.”